Sports Betting Apparatus and Method

1. A betting apparatus, comprising: a central processing computer; and a lottery retailer computer of or associated with a lottery retailer and located at a venue of the lottery retailer, wherein the lottery retailer computer further comprises: a processor; an input device, wherein the input device further comprises: an RFID reader; and a video recording device; a transmitter; and an output device, wherein the output device further comprises: a printer, wherein the RFID reader reads information contained in an RFID tag associated with, or assigned to, a lottery gaming account associated with a first user in an in-person lottery ticket purchase transaction involving the first user or the lottery gaming account, and further wherein the processor processes the information read by the RFID reader and identifies the lottery gaming account associated with the first user, wherein the processor processes information for purchasing a lottery ticket for or associated with a lottery drawing or lottery game for or on behalf of the first user, wherein the video recording device records a video clip or a video recording of the first user during a purchase of the lottery ticket, and further wherein the processor generates a lottery ticket, wherein the printer prints the lottery ticket, and further wherein the processor generates an electronic lottery ticket and a lottery ticket purchase confirmation message, which corresponds to the lottery ticket, wherein the lottery ticket purchase confirmation message contains a link to a first electronic forum, wherein the first electronic forum provides video of the lottery drawing or lottery game, wherein the transmitter transmits the electronic lottery ticket and the lottery ticket purchase confirmation message to a first communication device or to an email server associated with the first user and to the central processing computer, wherein the central processing computer is located separate and apart from, or remote from, the lottery retailer computer, and further wherein the lottery ticket purchase confirmation message is transmitted in or as an email message or is transmitted as an instant message or text message, and further wherein the lottery retailer computer and the central processing computer store information regarding the lottery ticket or the electronic lottery ticket in the lottery gaming account, wherein the lottery retailer computer or the transmitter transmits the video clip or the video recording along with the electronic lottery ticket, or transmits the electronic lottery ticket with the video clip or the video recording attached to the electronic lottery ticket, to the first communication device or to a second communication device, wherein the central processing computer provides the first electronic forum, wherein the first electronic forum is displayed via a display of the first communication device or a second communication device, and further wherein the first electronic forum provides or transmits a video broadcast or streaming video of the lottery drawing or lottery game to the first communication device or to the second communication device, wherein the central processing computer is programmed to allow the first user to place a first bet on an event which occurs, or on events which occur, during the lottery drawing or lottery game, and further wherein the central processing computer receives information regarding the first bet placed by or for the first user on or regarding the lottery drawing or lottery game, wherein the information regarding the first bet is transmitted from the first communication device or from the second communication device, and further wherein the central processing computer processes information regarding an outcome of the first bet on or regarding the lottery drawing or lottery game and determines if the first bet is a winning bet or a losing bet, and further wherein the central processing computer compares information regarding lottery results for the lottery drawing or lottery game with information contained on, for, or regarding, the lottery ticket and determines if the lottery ticket is a winning ticket or a losing ticket, and further wherein the central processing computer generates a lottery results message, and further wherein the central processing computer transmits the lottery results message to the first communication device or to the second communication device, and further wherein the central processing computer provides a second electronic forum, wherein the second electronic forum provides video of a sporting event, and further wherein the central processing computer receives and processes information regarding a second bet, wherein the second bet is placed on or regarding the sporting event by the first user or by a second user, and further wherein the central processing computer processes information for placing the second bet placed by or for the first user or the second user.

2. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lottery retailer computer is a kiosk.

3. The betting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a distributed ledger and blockchain technology system, wherein the distributed ledger and blockchain technology system processes the information regarding an outcome of the first bet on or regarding the lottery drawing or lottery game or processes information regarding the second bet and determines if the first bet is a winning bet or a losing bet, or determines if the second bet is a winning bet or a losing bet.

4. The betting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a distributed ledger and blockchain technology system, wherein the distributed ledger and blockchain technology system compares information regarding the lottery results for the lottery drawing or lottery game with information contained on, for, or regarding, the lottery ticket and determines if the lottery ticket is a winning ticket or a losing ticket.

5. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lottery ticket purchase confirmation message is transmitted in or as an email message.

6. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lottery ticket purchase confirmation message is transmitted in or as an instant message or text message.

7. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the betting apparatus processes information for effectuating an on-line purchase of a second lottery ticket.

8. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central processing computer is programmed to transmit, and transmits, a lottery notification message to the first communication device or to the second communication device.

9. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lottery retailer computer is programmed to transmit, and transmits, a lottery notification message to the first communication device or to the second communication device.

10. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first communication device or the second communication device comprises a global positioning device, wherein the global positioning device determines a position or location of the first communication device or the second communication device at a time of a placing of the first bet or the second bet, and further wherein the central processing computer receives and processes information regarding the position or location information of the first communication device or the second communication device and determines if the first bet or the second bet is a legal bet.

11. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic forum provides information regarding a private bet or private bets offered by the first user or by the second user.

12. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first electronic forum or the second electronic forum provides information regarding available bets.

13. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first electronic forum provides information regarding lottery tickets for sale.

14. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central processing computer processes information for effectuating a payment of a gaming fee to a governmental entity.

15. The betting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a distributed ledger and blockchain technology system, wherein the distributed ledger and blockchain technology system processes information for effectuating a payment of a gaming fee to a governmental entity.

16. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central processing computer generates a report regarding bets placed or lottery tickets purchased for or regarding the lottery drawing or lottery game.

17. The betting apparatus of claim 16, wherein the report contains information regarding outcomes of the bets placed or the lottery tickets purchased.

18. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first communication device or the second communication device includes a second video recording device, and further wherein the second video recording device records a video clip or video recording of the first user while the first user is purchasing the lottery ticket, and further wherein the lottery retailer computer transmits the video clip or the video recording to the first user communication device or to the second user communication device.

19. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central processing computer stores information regarding the lottery gaming account and information regarding an originating lottery retailer, wherein the originating lottery retailer is credited with originating the lottery gaming account, and further wherein the central processing computer processes information for a making of a payment of a sales commission to the originating lottery retailer upon a making of an on-line purchase of a second lottery ticket or upon a making of a purchase of a second lottery ticket from a second lottery retailer.

20. The betting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first communication device, the second communication device, or a third communication device, includes a second video recording device, and further wherein the second video recording device records a video clip or video recording of the first user or the second user while the first user or the second user is placing the first bet or the second bet, and further wherein the first communication device, the second communication device, or the third communication device, transmits the video clip or the video recording to a fourth communication device, wherein the fourth communication device is associated with the first user or the second user.

21. A betting apparatus, comprising: a central processing computer; a distributed ledger and blockchain technology system; and a lottery retailer computer, wherein the lottery retailer computer further comprises: a processor; an input device, wherein the input device further comprises: an RFID reader; and a video recording device; a transmitter; and an output device, wherein the output device further comprises: a printer, wherein the RFID reader reads information contained in an RFID tag associated with, or assigned to, a lottery gaming account associated with a first user in an in-person lottery ticket purchase transaction involving the first user or the lottery gaming account, and further wherein the processor processes the information read by the RFID reader and identifies the lottery gaming account associated with the first user, wherein the processor processes information for purchasing a lottery ticket for or associated with a lottery drawing or lottery game for or on behalf of the first user, wherein the video recording device records a video clip or a video recording of the first user during a purchase of the lottery ticket, and further wherein the processor generates a lottery ticket, wherein the printer prints the lottery ticket, and further wherein the processor generates an electronic lottery ticket and a lottery ticket purchase confirmation message, which corresponds to the lottery ticket, wherein the lottery ticket purchase confirmation message contains a link to a first electronic forum, wherein the first electronic forum provides video of the lottery drawing or lottery game, wherein the transmitter transmits the electronic lottery ticket and the lottery ticket purchase confirmation message to a first communication device or to an email server associated with the first user and to the central processing computer, wherein the lottery ticket purchase confirmation message is transmitted in or as an email message or is transmitted as an instant message or text message, and further wherein the lottery retailer computer and the central processing computer store information regarding the lottery ticket or the electronic lottery ticket in the lottery gaming account, wherein the lottery retailer computer or the transmitter transmits the video clip or the video recording along with the electronic lottery ticket, or transmits the electronic lottery ticket with the video clip or the video recording attached to the electronic lottery ticket, to the first communication device or to a second communication device, wherein the central processing computer provides the first electronic forum, wherein the first electronic forum is displayed via a display of the first communication device or a second communication device, and further wherein the first electronic forum provides or transmits a video broadcast or streaming video of the lottery drawing or lottery game to the first communication device or to the second communication device, and further wherein the central processing computer or the distributed ledger and blockchain technology system determines if the lottery ticket is a winning ticket or a losing ticket, and further wherein the central processing computer generates a lottery results message, and further wherein the central processing computer transmits the lottery results message to the first communication device or to the second communication device, and further wherein the central processing computer provides a second electronic forum, wherein the second electronic forum provides video of a sporting event, and further wherein the central processing computer receives and processes information regarding a bet, wherein the bet is placed on or regarding the sporting event by the first user or by a second user, and further wherein the central processing computer processes information for placing the bet placed by or for the first user or the second user.

22. A computer-implemented method, comprising: recording, with a video recording device of a lottery retailer computer, of or associated with a lottery retailer and located at a venue of the lottery retailer, a video clip or a video recording of a first user during a purchase of a lottery ticket for a lottery drawing or for a lottery game; generating, with or using a processor, a lottery ticket; printing, with or using a printer, the lottery ticket; generating, with or using the processor, an electronic lottery ticket and a lottery ticket purchase confirmation message, which corresponds to the lottery ticket, wherein the lottery ticket purchase confirmation message contains a link to a first electronic forum, wherein the first electronic forum provides video of the lottery drawing or lottery game; transmitting, from a transmitter, the electronic lottery ticket and the lottery ticket purchase confirmation message to a first communication device associated with the first user or to an email server associated with the first user and to a central processing computer, wherein the central processing computer is located separate and apart from, or remote from, the lottery retailer computer, and further wherein the lottery ticket purchase confirmation message is transmitted in or as an email message or is transmitted as an instant message or text message; storing, at the lottery retailer computer and at the central processing computer, information regarding the lottery ticket or the electronic lottery ticket in a lottery gaming account associated with the first user; transmitting, from the lottery retailer computer or from the transmitter, the video clip or the video recording along with the electronic lottery ticket, or transmitting the electronic lottery ticket with the video clip or the video recording attached to the electronic lottery ticket, to the first communication device or to a second communication device; providing, with or using the central processing computer, the first electronic forum, wherein the first electronic forum is displayed via a display of the first communication device or a second communication device; providing or transmitting, via the first electronic forum, a video broadcast or streaming video of the lottery drawing or the lottery game to the first communication device or to the second communication device; comparing, with or using the central processing computer, information regarding lottery results for the lottery drawing or the lottery game with information contained on, for, or regarding, the lottery ticket; determining, with or using the central processing computer, if the lottery ticket is a winning ticket or a losing ticket; generating, with or using the central processing computer, a lottery results message; transmitting, from the central processing computer, the lottery results message to the first communication device or to the second communication device; providing, with or using the central processing computer, a second electronic forum, wherein the second electronic forum provides video of a sporting event; receiving and processing, with or using the central processing computer, information regarding a bet, wherein the bet is placed on or regarding the sporting event by the first user or by a second user; and processing, with or using the central processing computer, information for placing the bet placed by or for the first user or the second user.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 22, further comprising: processing information for effectuating an on-line purchase of a second lottery ticket.

24. The computer-implemented method of claim 22, further comprising: receiving, with the central processing computer, position or location information regarding the first communication device or the second communication device; and determining if the bet is a legal bet.

25. The computer-implemented method of claim 22, further comprising: providing, via the first electronic forum, information regarding lottery tickets for sale.